New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-07-27
THE GO-BETWEEN FOX THE aBOY6"
TESTIMONY OF A CHICAGO "BOODLER"

| HE COLLECTED THE COMMIssIONERS "PERQUI
sIrEs"-How THE SCHEME WAS WORKED.
CHICAGO. July 20 Spccal). Overwhelming a
everybody has long understood the proof against
the county boodlers to be. only the few who knew
what it really was were prepared for the astound-
ing revelations already made. First. ex-Commis-
sioner Lynn told how he had robbed tho county of
over $4,000 in two years. and By inference. at
least proved that bis associates were greater
rascals for his testimony showed him to be cheap
sort of thief. who was content with q moderate
share Of the general plunder. Following him
was the carpenter. Lobstein, who told
how he had given up $500 on
two different occasions for small jobs
IN the Court House, Dan" Wren being the coll
lector Then the CLOVIS and their bookkeeper ex-
planned how Mcdonald, as the agent Of the ring,
had demanded handsome commissions on all
plumbing supplies purchased for the county, this
commission to be added to the purchase price, and
how Chairman Klehm-who, by the way, elected
himself to the proud position by his own vote-had
urged payment, pretending that it would save the
county money.
Yesterday the Clybourn Brothers told how they
had charged the county $19 per carload
for gravel, which they preferred TO
sell for $14, aud sent in bill for 1.OS8 carloads
when they had furnished only $50
The money stolen from the county IN this way they
had either paid in advance, to get the contract,
or divided between VarneIl, the warden, or Kolze.
the miIkman to be handed over to the ring. Kolze
unblushingy admitted that he had paid from
$1,000 to $4,000 year to get his milk contract,
and Heisler the baker, swore that he paid similar
amounts for the bread contract
To-day, Bipper for q long time the meat con-
tractor aud agent Of the ring for levyng and col.
lecting assessments from other contractors, which
they were to add to their bills and COLLECT from
the County Treasury. told his story. The court
room was again crowded. Bipper is generally re-
garded as the most important witness the State
has He gave most sensational testimony. IL
seems that Bipper not only paid for his own con-
tract but acted as a go-between for the other con-
tractors and the County Commissioners. No con-
tractor could get contract without paying Bipper,
and he related at length how these various sums
were divided among the booders. The first wit
ness was James w. Kee, O milk contractor.
He told how he had to pay Bipper and McGarigle
from 800 to 81, 500 each for every yearly con-
tract he secured.
lie was followed by Bipptr himself According
to his testimony there was not q single contractor
even the county physician. Dr. Bluthart. with other
county employees paid Tba,e s Eeghary haw TO sas
these payments, Blpper SAID " simply pnt the
money IN their hands, or put it in their pockets
"What sort of coats did they wearf How did
you find he pockets T. asked General Stiles.
"Oh, always found their ockets; there was
no trouble about that" 49,
The following extract from the days record will
show how thugs were managed
Q-Do you know anything OF Q meeting OF the "boys"
at tbe Gait House during tho year 1881 Ayes, sir
Q.-wnat was that meeting forl Alt was to decide
who should get the contracts.
Q,-how mauy OF tho eboys" were PRESENT. Al
could remember. was not ct tho meetings but ar
the meeting over think was sod there were
siI.
Q-Can you name themi Al could not them.
TO nnd out who should get the ooatraots
General Stilos-wnere did y III yet your Information
A. One OF them told me they had had q meeting over
there TO determine whether these men should have tho
contracts that year. -
O-Which one was III Al would not be positive
about IT, OF the boys was there downstairs
while the meeting was being held.
Q.-when the meeting was over, was any report made
to youf A-Yea
Q-was any report made you during the progress Of
the meetingl A-No, sir; not that recollect think
1t Leyden told He told me they had agreed that
tbey should have the contract again We paid so aud so
Q.-How much A-One thousand dollars each-pro-
vided would $1,000 to each OF the
In this deal
Al had no control over any.
Q,-At what time did you become agentf A.-This Is
the first year.
Q-How long did it continued A.-The next year. when
got tho contract each OF these gentlemen did Ills
own soliciting; but when money was paid, 1t went
through my hands. M
Odd you play fair 7 A.-well, did play fair with
them yes sir 1carriod out the agreement exactly Oh
both sides.
ON fact you wero the Clearing House agenti A
collected tho money because had nothing else TO do